Two Points for Protein

Thursday

Jan 17, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Complement sports with protein snacks.

Anne Kirchner

For several years we have spent many winter weekends traveling across Kansas watching our children play in basketball tournaments. One of the challenges is eating healthy and inexpensively. The best solution we have found is to bring a cooler full of snacks.

From an athletic perspective it's important to include foods high in protein. Beef or turkey jerky is a great source and is super portable. Other favorites include mixed nuts, hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks and meat sandwiches. We often balance the protein snacks with clementimes, apples and bananas. And an extra treat includes peanut butter oatmeal cookies.

I believe it's important to keep our student athletes excercise AND snacks. So the next time you head out of town for a basketball tournament, avoid the fast food restaurants and pack your bags full of healthy foods. Say "no" to burgers and fries. Say "yes" to almonds and yogurt.